Flashes rally back for overtime win
Published 10:21 am Wednesday, January 27, 2016
After going down 1-0 to Greenville St. Joe, St. Aloysius coach Scott Mathis told his team to stop getting beat to the ball, be better in the middle and play like a team, with much emphasis on the latter point.
It was able to play like a team and beat the Fighting Irish 2-1 in overtime Tuesday.
“Teamwork, tenacity and toughness is what won this game tonight,” Mathis said. “I’m very proud of both the offense and defense. The other team was winning the battle but this team came back and won the war.”
The Flashes found themselves down a goal in the 20 minute mark in the first half when the goalkeeper came out to defend a breakaway, but wasn’t able to get back into the net as a shot flew over his head.
Connor Bottin scored the Flashes’ regulation goal with 10 minutes left in the game.
“Jack Dowe put a left footed pass in the corner and Connor Bottin slid in and scored in the opposite corner,” Mathis said.
Mathis gave his team a final pep talk and told his team “we will not lose thise game, we have them exactly where we want them so now let’s finish this. Play great defense and go home winners.”
Dowe scored the game-winning goal seven minutes into overtime. Mathis said the defense played their best game of the year in the second half.
“They didn’t let anyone by them and with that ball going in every direction, they all answered the call worked together like a team,” Mathis said.
(B) Tupelo 1, WC 0
Tupelo scored its game-winning goal from Logan Little on an assist from Chase Huddleston in the 17 minute in the opening half to beat Warren Central 1-0 Tuesday night in the MHSAA class 6A state playoffs.
“It was a quick pass to the center and it happened so fast,” Warren Central soccer coach Greg Head said. “We went toe to toe with the best in the state.”
The Golden Wave out shot the Vikings 19-5 and Vikings’ goalkeeper Brian McHan walked away with seven saves to Tupelo’s three. Head said it was a very physical game with many fouls called.
The Vikings played with a man down after a player received his second yellow card in halfway through the second half. Despite being shorthanded, Warren Central was able to not give up a goal in the second half.
(G) Tupelo 5, WC 0
Warren Central girl’s coach Jay Madison said his team played hard to the end and it was a good first season with a ton of young players.
“[Their] a really fast team, with several players with lots of pace,” Madison said. “Much more experienced team with a lot of juniors and seniors.”